Double injury blow confirmed as Bruce delivers bad news on Dubravka and Shelvey

Steve Bruce has revealed that Martin Dubravka looks set for another EIGHT weeks on the sidelines after suffering a setback in his recovery from a foot injury.

The Slovakian had surgery last month, however it’s emerged that his wound has become infected – delaying his comeback by several weeks.

Elsewhere, the NUFC boss has revealed that Jonjo Shelvey will be missing for ‘at least’ three or four weeks after injuring his calf in our 4-2 defeat to West Ham.

Isaac Hayden is also another fresh concern for Bruce. After limping off at half-time on Saturday, he’s not trained this week and is set to miss tomorrow’s Carabao Cup clash with Burnley.

Bruce insists that he might yet be OK for the weekend, but it’s a concern to see him struggling after a serious knee injury saw him miss the back end of the 2020/21 season.

On the plus side, Paul Dummett is back in training and could be fit for Southampton, while Karl Darlow is being eased back in after a bad bout of Covid, meaning the manager has put no timescale on his return.

Here’s what he’s had to say on all of the above this morning:

Bruce on Martin Dubravka:

“Not to set a time limit, but we are hoping in eight weeks maybe.

Unfortunately his wound has got infected which is going to set him back another couple of weeks.”

Bruce on Jonjo Shelvey:

“He picked up a calf injury in pre-season but it’s the other one that’s now injured.

It’s frustrating but I would think he’s going to be at least another three or four weeks.

Bruce on Isaac Hayden:

We don’t think it’s too serious.

He’s sore at the moment but we don’t think he’s disturbed the knee he had problems with last season.

Fingers crossed he might even be available at the weekend.

Bruce on Karl Darlow:

With Karl, it’s to see how his physical wellbeing is.

How long that will be? We’ve known in the past I had a player who took at least six weeks.

We’ve just got to be patient.

Bruce on Paul Dummett:

He’s trained but he only trained yesterday with the group.

I think tomorrow will be too early for him but hopefully he’ll put himself in contention for the weekend – we’ll see how he trains this week.

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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